Justin Bieber Coachella set draws backlash and pay-gap claims
Justin Bieber’s return to the Coachella main stage has prompted mixed reaction from festivalgoers, with online critics accusing the pop star of delivering a low-energy headline performance while comparisons were drawn to Sabrina Carpenter’s production-heavy set the night before.
Daily Mail reported that Bieber was paid $10 million for his headline slot, while Carpenter was reportedly paid $5 million, as some fans argued the differing scrutiny of their performances reflected sexist double standards in the industry.
The 32-year-old performed on Saturday in a hoodie with minimal staging, at points selecting tracks via a laptop and inviting livestream viewers to request favourite songs in the rolling comments. The set included newer material alongside a medley of earlier hits, and also featured clips of Bieber’s childhood YouTube videos played as he sang along on stage.
Online reactions ranged from describing the show as a disappointing comeback to praising its looser, nostalgic format, with supporters saying the pared-back approach highlighted Bieber’s catalogue and personal journey. Britpop News previously covered how Zara Larsson mocked Justin Bieber’s Coachella set as debate over the performance continued across social media.
Coachella is set to repeat the same headline structure for its second weekend, with Carpenter returning on Friday and Bieber again scheduled for Saturday, meaning the conversation around production expectations and artist pay is likely to remain in focus.
